Tommy Lasorda Gave Clippers in-Game Pep Talk During Timeout

Tommy Lasorda will always be linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and it turns out the former skipper has a lot of city pride.

The Dodgers are currently in Arizona for spring training. On Tuesday night, the Phoenix Suns hosted the Los Angeles Clippers in a big showdown. Some of the Dodgers, including Lasorda, decided to attend the game.

Lasorda was the Dodgers manager from 1976 to 1996. Based on Tuesday night's events, it looks like he still wants to motivate players. MLB.com's Josh Tucker and Cat Belanger shared the details:

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Before Tommy Lasorda made his way to his courtside seat, the skipper stopped at the Clippers huddle to give the team an impromptu motivational speech. Tommy is known for his rah-rah style that extends outside of Dodger baseball into business meetings or even everyday interactions with fans. However, this was during a timeout in a professional basketball game.

Not one for brevity, Tommy’s speech lasted a little longer than the timeout would allow. With the game beckoning, Dodger fan and All-Star Chris Paul escorted Tommy to his seat, so that the game could continue.

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Yeah, Clippers star Chris Paul walked Lasorda back to his courtside seat. That may seem a bit random, but apparently the two have a pretty good relationship.

"When he comes to see the Dodgers play, he sits by me," Lasorda said. "We’ve become pretty good friends.”

In case you were wondering what he said to the Clippers, the former Dodgers skipper summed it up:

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I just kind of said something to them. I told them I’m proud of them. I said, ‘The second half belongs to us!’ I talked to (Blake) Griffin, I told him he’s a star and he hasn’t scratched the surface yet. People pay a lot of money to see you play, so you better come out and play!

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Lasorda's pep talk worked. The Clippers pulled out a 104-96 victory over the Suns, thanks to a 60-41 edge in the second half.

[H/t ProBasketballTalk]